Self-venting plastic nozzle and spout



Sept. 7, 1965 J. s. SONG SELF-VEN'I'ING PLASTIC NOZZLE AND SPOUT Filed Sept. 6, 1963 I 3 ATTORNEYX m vN mg ww om H [I Y ill! 2 B United States Patent 3,204,829 SELF-VENTING PLASTIC NOZZLE AND SPOUT John S. Song, Addison, Ill, assiguor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 6, 1963, Ser. No. 307,062 6 Claims. (Cl. 222153) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in dispensing nozzles, and more particularly to a novel dispensing nozzle which is formed of plastic material, is self-venting, is provided with a radially extending spout and has a closure cap connected thereto.

Various types of nozzles and closure caps are known in the prior art. In many of the prior art devices the nozzle is fixedly secured to a container such that material within the container is dispensable through the nozzle with the nozzle in one fixed pouring position. Also, in many of the previously known containers, it was necessary to provide a separate vent hole in the container so that material, such as liquids, could be dispensed through the nozzle in a steady flow. Many such separate vent holes comprise nothing more than a puncture hole in some portion of the container body. Vent holes of this type are extremely undesirable if the container is to be only partially emptied and the remainder of the container contents is to be stored for later use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a nozzle for dispensing liquids from containers wherein the nozzle is self-venting and the need for a separate vent hole is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is to provide the self venting nozzle with an extended pouring spout so that the liquid which is being dispensed will not over-run on the nozzle and possibly interfere with the reclosing thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide the extended pouring spout with a terminal, sharp, drip-proof spout lip and with a spout curtain which depends from the spout adjacent to the lip to eliminate dripping.

Another object of this invention is to provide a nozzle which includes a pouring hole and a vent hole and the holes are provided with separate plug elements for positive sealing thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide the selfventing nozzle with a closure cap which is formed integrally with the plug elements and includes a dust cover which extends over the pouring spout and prevents contamination of the nozzle and pouring spout by dust and other foreign matter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selfventing plastic nozzle and spout which is adjustably mounted on a container such that the nozzle and the spout may be moved to various pouring positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selfventing plastic nozzle and spout comprising a tubular body, a transverse wall disposed intermediate the height of the tubular body, the wall being provided with a pouring opening and a vent opening, a pouring spout disposed contiguous to the pouring opening, and the pouring spout being integrally molded with the tubular body and extending radially outwardly therefrom.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tubular projection which extends upwardly from the transverse wall concentric with the vent opening so that venting can occur even with a completely filled container.

A further object of this invention is to provide a closure cap which is connected to the nozzle by a strap and is adapted to telescope over the tubular body and pouring spout, with the closure cap including an end wall, a first plug element depending from the end wall and 3,294,829 Patented Sept. 7, 1965 "ice adapted to seal the pouring opening, and a second plug element depending from the end wall and adapted to seal the vent opening.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a plug element with a tapered shoulder adapted to Wedgingly engage in a pouring opening, and to further provide the plug element with spaced annular locking ribs which cooperate with the transverse wall for retaining the plug element in sealing relationship with the pouring opening in alternative positions to retain the closure cap on the nozzle.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claimed subject matter and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the novel nozzle and closure cap, and illustrates the device in an open condition with the nozzle positioned such that the pouring spout extends outwardly beyond a side wall of the container.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the nozzle and pouring spout.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1, showing the connection of the nozzle with the container and the closure cap in its open position.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view with the closure cap being shown in its closed position.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG- URE 4 showing the closure cap in its alternative or reclosed position.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawing illustrates a novel self-venting plastic nozzle, generally indicated by the numeral 10, and a closure cap, generally indicated by the numeral 11, which closure cap is connected to the nozzle 10 by means of a strap 12. The nozzle 19, closure cap 11 and strap 12 are integrally molded in one piece from a suitable flexible plastic such as polyethylene.

The nozzle 10 includes a tubular body 13 which is generally circular in transverse section. The" tubular body 13 is provided, intermediate the height thereof, with an integral transverse wall 14. The transverse wall 14 is provided with a large pouring opening 15 and an upwardly extending tubular projection 16 which has a vent opening 17 formed therein. A pouring spout 18 is integrally formed-with the tubular body 13 and extends radially outwardly therefrom. The pouring spout 18 includes a bottom wall 19, which slopes downwardly toward the pouring opening 15, and a pair of upwardly extending spaced side walls 20 which merge with the tubular body 13. The bottom wall 19 of the pouring spout 18 is greatly reduced in thickness at its terminal edge to provide a thin sharp spout lip 21. A drip curtain 22 depends from the underside of the pouring spout 18 in closely spaced relation with the spout lip 21. The thin spout lip 21 and the depending drip curtain 22 cooperate to prevent liquid from dripping from they pouring spout 18 and running along the underside of the bottom wall 19.

The tubular body 13 is provided along its lower portion with an upwardly flaring tapered lead-in section 23 which terminates with an annular shoulder 24. The lead-in section 23 provides for easy insertion of the nozzle 10 into an opening in an end 25 of a container 26. The container 26 is shown as being of the type having a noncircular body 27 which is connected to the container end 25 by a seam 28. i

The nozzle is provided with an exterior annular flange 30 which is partially spaced from the tubular body 13 to provide an upwardly opening recess 31. The annular recess 31 is spaced above the annular shoulder 24 for the reception of a flange 32 of the container 26 to provide the necessary interlock between the nozzle 10 and the end 25 of the container 26. The recess 31 and the flange 32 are preferably circular so that the nozzle 10 may be rotated to vary the position of the pouring spout 18. As is best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the pouring spout 18 extends outwardly from the tubular body 13 a distance suflicient enough so that the spout lip 21 is disposed outwardly from the container body 27. This feature of adjustably positioning the pouring spout 18 is very helpful in pouring liquids from various flat-topped containers, and it is to be noted that the outwardly extending pouring spout 18 provides a convenient grasping portion and lever arm for rotating the nozzle 10 within the flanged opening in the container 26. It will be appreciated that the flange 32 has a snug leak-proof fit within the recess 31 and a significant force is required to rotate the annular flange 30 of the nozzle 10 relative to the flange 32 of the container 26.

The closure cap 11 is designed to telescope over the 'nozzle 10 and the pouring spout 18. The closure cap 11 includes a transverse end wall 35 which is formed with a substantially circular portion 36, for overlying the tubular body 13 of the nozzle 10, and an extended portion 37 for overlying the extended pouring spout 18. The closure cap 11 also includes a peripheral flange 38 which extends downwardly (in the closed position) from the end wall 35. The portion of the flange 38, which is adjacent to the spout lip 21, has an extended dust cover 39, as is best shown in FIGURE 4, to prevent dust and other foreign matter from contaminating the pouring spout 18. The extension 39 is also used as a tab for lifting the cap 11.

The transverse end wall 35, of the closure cap 11, includes a first plug element 40 extending downwardly there- 'from for passage through the pouring opening in the 'nozzle 10. The plug element 40 is provided with a tapered shoulder 41 and a pair of annular locking ribs "42 and 43. The tapered shoulder 41 wedgingly engages with a tapered shoulder 44, along the periphery of the pouring opening 15, to provide a tight leak-proof seal. As is clearly shown in FIGURE 4, the annular locking rib 42 on the plug element 40 engages the underside of the transverse wall 14 to lock the plug element 40 to the nozzle and thereby retain the tight sealing relationship of the plug 40 in the opening 15 for shipping and storage requirements. After opening, the cap 11 is reclosed by returning it to the position in FIGURE 5 and the locking rib 43 then provides the means for fastening the closure cap 11 to the nozzle 10. In this reclosed position it will be noted that the beads or ribs 42 and 43 cooperate to close the opening 15. This provides a loose seal that is satisfactory for household use and can be opened more easily.

The transverse end wall 35 of the closure cap 11 is also provided with a second plug element 45 depending therefrom for engagement within the tubular projection 16 that defines the vent opening 17. The plug element 45 is provided with a plurality of sealing ribs 46 that cooperate with the inner tapered wall of the tubular projections 16 to prevent leakage of fluid therefrom in the event that the container 26 is inadvertently overturned. It should be noted that a small groove 47 is formed in the top surface of the tubular body 13, closely adjacent to the upstanding tubular projection 16, to permit the plug element 45 to be easily inserted into the vent opening 17 when the strap 12 is bent and the closure cap 11 is placed onto the nozzle 10.

It may be desirable to provide strengthening means for the transverse end wall 35 of the closure cap 11. It has been found that by providing an oblong rib 50, which extends from the dust cover 39 to the first plug element 45),

and a pair of tapered ribs 51, which extend radially'from the center of the circular portion 36, the closure cap 11 is sufficiently strengthened to withstand the bending stresses imposed thereon during the passage of the locking ribs 42 and 43 outwardly from within the pouring opening 15.

While preferred forms and arrangement of parts have been shown in illustrating the invention, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claimed subject matter.

I claim:

1. A self-venting nozzle and spout comprising a tubular body; a transverse wall disposed intermediate the height of said tubular body, said wall being provided with a pouring opening and a vent opening; a pouring spout disposed contiguous to said pouring opening, said pouring spout being integral with said tubular body and extending radially outwardly therefrom; and a closure cap adapted to telescope over said tubular body, said closure cap having an end wall, a first plug element depending from said end wall and adapted to seal said pouring opening, and a second plug element depending from said end wall and having rib means adapted to seal said vent opening; said first plug element having a tapered shoulder adapted to wedgingly engage in said pouring opening and including annular locking rib means for engaging the underside of said transverse wall to lock said first plug element within said pouring opening and to retain said closure cap on said nozzle.

2. A one-piece self-venting plastic nozzle and spout comprising a tubular body, a transverse wall integral with said tubular body and disposed intermediate the height thereof, said wall being provided with a pouring opening and a vent opening; a pouring spout disposed contiguous to said pouring opening, said pouring spout being integral with said tubular body and extending radially therefrom, said pouring spout including a bottom wall sloping downwardly toward said pouring opening and a pair of spaced side walls which merge with said tubular body, said pouring spout terminating in a thin spout lip and being provided with a depending drip curtain adjacent to said lip; and means for attaching said nozzle to a container. 3. A one-piece self-venting plastic nozzle and spout comprising a tubular body, a transverse wall integral with said tubular body and disposed intermediate the height thereof, said wall being provided with a pouring opening and a vent opening; a pouring spout disposed contiguous to said pouring opening, said pouring spout being integral with said tubular body and extending radially therefrom, said pouring spout including a bottom wall sloping downwardly toward said pouring opening and a pair of spaced side walls which merge with said tubular, body, said pouring spout terminating in a thin spout lip and being provided with a depending drip curtain adjacent to said lip; and means for attaching said nozzle to a container; and a closure cap adapted to telescope over said tubular body, said closure cap having an end wall, a first plug element depending from said end wall and adapted to seal said pouring opening; and a second plug element depending from said end wall and having rib means adapted to seal said vent opening, said first plug element having a tapered shoulder adapted to wedgingly engage in said pouring opening and including annular locking rib means for engaging the underside of said transverse wall to lock said first plug element within said pouring opening and to retain said closure cap on said nozzle.

4. In the combination of a nozzle and a closure cap; said nozzle comprising a tubular body, a transverse wall integral with said tubular body and being provided with an opening therethrough; said closure cap comprising a transverse end wall and a plug element integral with said transverse end wall, said plug element being of a size capable of passing through said opening in the transverse wall of said nozzle; the improvement comprising rib means on said plug element for engaging a side of said P transverse wall remote from the transverse end wall of said closure cap whereby the closure cap is retained upon said nozzle, said rib means comprising a plurality of beads spaced longitudinally of said plug element to provide multiple locking positions for said closure cap relative to said nozzle.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4, further characterized in that said plurality of beads are spaced longitudinally of said plug element a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said transverse wall of said nozzle whereby one of said beads is engageable with one side of said transverse wall and another of said heads is engageable with the other side of said transverse wall.

6. In the combination of a nozzle and a closure cap; said nozzle comprising a tubular body, a transverse wall integral with said tubular body and being provided with an opening therethrough; said closure cap comprising a transverse end Wall and a plug element integral with said transverse end wall, said plug element being of a size capable of passing through said opening in the transverse wall of said nozzle; the improvement comprising rib means on said plug element for engaging a side of said transverse Wall remote from the transverse end Wall of said closure cap whereby the closure cap is retained upon said nozzle, said rib means comprising a plurality of annular beads spaced longitudinally of said plug element, one of said beads being located adjacent a free end of said plug element and having a smaller diameter than another annular bead which is spaced from said free end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SELF-VENTING NOZZLE AND SPOUT COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY; A TRANSVERSE WALL DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE HEIGHT OF SAID TUBULAR BODY, SAID WALL BEING PROVIDED WITH A POURING OPENING AND A VENT OPENING; A POURING SPOUT DISPOSED CONTIGUOUS TO SAID POURING OPENING, SAID POURING SPOUT BEING INTEGRAL WITH SAID TUBULAR BODY AND EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY THEREFROM; AND A CLOSURE CAP ADAPTED TO TELESCOPE OVER SAID TUBULAR BODY, SAID CLOSURE CAP HAVING AN END WALL, A FIRST PLUG ELEMENT DEPENDING FROM SAID END WALL AND ADAPTED TO SEAL SAID POURING OPENING, AND A SECOND PLUG ELEMENT DEPENDING FROM SAID END WALL AND HAVING RIB MEANS ADAPTED TO SEAL SAID VENT OPENING; SAID FIRST PLUG ELEMENT HAVING A TAPERED SHOULDER ADAPTED TO WEDGINGLY ENGAGE IN SAID POURING OPENING AND INCLUDING ANNULAR LOCKING RIB MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID TRANSVERSE WALL TO LOCK SAID FIRST PLUG ELEMENT WITHIN SAID POURING OPENING AND TO RETAIN SAID CLOSURE CAP ON SAID NOZZLE. 